‘You Know Them All’ - Trust, Cooperation, and Cultural Volunteering in Rural Areas in Germany

(1) Background: Rural areas are characterised by a higher number of volunteers compared to urban centres in Germany. In this context, cultural and arts education is one of the largest voluntary sectors. However, an increasing decline in (cultural) volunteering can be observed. To counteract the decrease, it is important to strengthen regional cooperation and social networks, which are based on trust. The connection between trust, volunteering, and social networks has already been examined, but we still do not fully understand the emergence of trust in the link of cultural education cooperation and networks in rural areas. (2) Methods: A total of 34 semi-structured interviews in combination with egocentric network maps were conducted in four rural regions. The interview data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using qualitative content analysis. (3) Results: Four dimensions of trust-building were identified: 1. presence and spatial proximity, 2. multiplexity, 3. third party, and 4. community spirit

The Power of Places in Building Cultural and Arts Education Networks and Cooperation in Rural Areas

Volunteering plays a central role in cultural and arts education in rural areas in Germany. However, a decrease in the number of volunteers in structurally weak regions can be observed in recent years. This poses existential challenges for cultural and arts education. The promotion of social networks and regional cooperation, as well as a sense of place, can counteract this decline. This article aims to explore how sense of place influence cooperation and thus social networks between actors of different institutions in the context of cultural and arts education in rural areas. A total of 34 interviews and egocentric network maps were conducted with different local actors (e.g., volunteers in the theatre association, mayors, etc.) in four municipalities. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Our results show that, through active participation in cultural events and associations, new cooperation is created and maintained, which also expands the social network. This active participation can be positively influenced by the existing attachment to the region and cultural places

Developing Rural Tourism with the Participation of Related Parties in Bac Kan Province

Tourism development policy will pay attention to stakeholders, especially the people, who play an important role. However, in reality, when people participate in rural tourism development, they are not equipped with basic knowledge and skills in managing and serving tourists. Because the benefits between stakeholders are still not clear, the participation of people in rural tourism development is currently only passive. Active participation need to be directed from the Government and local authorities because the concept that rural tourism development is not only about creating economic benefits but also associated with conservation and preservation, together with keeping and promoting cultural - historical values in rural areas

Expectations of Cross-Sector Collaboration in Cultural and Arts Education

The promotion of dialogues between youth and older adults in the field of cultural education remains one of the most important educational policy tasks in Germany. After all, intergenerational, cultural projects can make an important contribution to reducing ageism, promoting personal development, and dealing with social challenges. Close collaboration between actors from different sectors (school, cultural associations, administration, etc.) is needed to secure such programmes. However, this presupposes that the expectations that the involved actors have regarding the collaboration are transparently examined, discussed and adjusted within the collaborative network in advance. Therefore, the aim is to identify initial indications of different expectations of collaboration between actors from various sectors. In order to answer the research question, 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted in combination with ego-centred network maps in six German municipalities with actors from different fields (schools, administration, cultural associations, etc.). The data were then interpreted using qualitative content analysis. Our results show that actors participate with expectations ranging from different degrees of closeness and distance to the other involved actors. These results allow the first systematisation of individual expectations of actors at the beginning of a collaboration

Performance implications of exploratory and exploitative innovation: the role of management control systems

Drawing on prominent theories of innovation, this study investigates the inter-relationships between the use of management control systems (MCS), exploratory innovation, exploitative innovation, and firm performance in Vietnam, an emerging market. The research hypotheses were empirically tested using a partial least squares-structural equation model. Data were collected by survey questionnaires from a sample of 238 top-level and middle-level managers in Vietnamese firms. The results confirm that the diagnostic use of MCS has a significant positive effect on exploitative innovation and the interactive use of MCS has a significant positive effect on both exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation. The results also reveal that exploitative innovation and exploratory innovation partially mediate the relationship between the interactive use of MCS and firm performance. Understanding these relationships can assist Vietnamese firms to invest appropriately in MCS that is able to promote innovation actions, thereby achieving outstanding performance

Cultures and Works of Tay People Through Vocative Words

Culture has a close relationship with many fields, including Linguistics. Language is a special product of culture. It is a means of communication and a tool for thinking. Language is a means to reflect, maintain and develop culture. Any meaningful sign of a language contains a cultural element. Vocative words are one of those cases. The article explores the vocative words system in the language of the Tay people in Tuyen Quang Province, Vietnam and concludes that culture is not only a factor that generates language, but also an environment for language to exist and develop. develop. Through the system of vocative words in the Tay language, it shows the cultural characteristics of respect affection of the Tay people

Hematological parameters of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) fed lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon citratus) after challenge with Streptococcus agalactiae

The study involved feeding lemongrass essential oil (LEO) supplements to red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) at concentrations including Control - 0 mg, T1 – 200 mg, T2 – 300 mg, and T3 – 400 mg per kg of feed. The research investigated changes in hematological (HCT, Hb, RBC, WBC & thrombocytes) and erythrocyte’s morphological (major/minor axis; perimeter, and area of erythrocyte) parameters before infection, 5- and 10-days post-infection (DPI). According to analytical findings, a diet containing LEO enhanced the synthesis of both erythrocytes and leukocytes in the peripheral blood of red tilapia after 20 days of being used. Therefore, the indicators of this group of fish showed better performance than those that did not use LEO supplement five days after bacterial infection. Fish fed 200 mg/kg of LEO after being challenged with S. agalactiae for ten days showed an improved effect on red blood cell production. White blood cells decreased at all concentrations because of citral’s immunomodulatory properties

The Value Chain of White Leg Shrimp Exported to the U.S Market: The Case of Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

Three years since 2008, white leg shrimp have exhibited fabulous growth rate and become a popular livestock along with black tiger shrimp and pangasius. This gives rise to the interest to investigate the value chain of frozen white leg shrimp exported to the U.S from Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Research findings showed that before exported to the U.S, white leg shrimp undergo farming, procurement, and processing. Shrimp farming comprises of pond cleaning, seed release, and caring. As shrimp attain harvestable size, middlemen come to perform the procurement including harvesting, preserving, and transporting. At the processing plants, shrimp are transformed into final products, packed, labeled preserved and stored waiting to be exported. During farming, farmers incur costs like seed, feed, labor, and other miscellaneous expenses. At the procurement stage, addition to purchasing shrimp from farmers, middlemen add some other costs like transport, labor, ice, and other inputs to transfer shrimp to the next stage. At the processing stage, direct material, labor, overhead, and other costs are added in accordance with the accounting format. Farmers, middlemen and processors experience positive profit in the 2008-2010 period. Based on costs and earnings data, some calculations were made to reveal the distributions of revenue, cost and profit of 1 kg frozen shrimp exported to the U.S. Revenue and profits were distributed in sync with incurred costs. The research also revealed reasons why farmers depend on middlemen to sell their harvest, that is, lack of facilities, delayed payment policy and risk aversion.Keywords: Special Topics, Posters and Game Demonstration Session and Reception, Fisheries EconomicsKeywords: Special Topics, Posters and Game Demonstration Session and Reception, Fisheries Economic